Photographic apparatus for transmission electron microscopes

ABSTRACT

A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box. The processor then separates the film sheet from the carrier plate, assembles it with processing materials and advances it to the nip of a processing roller pair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to photographic apparatus for use withtransmission electron microscopes (TEM). More particularly, it concernssuch apparatus which is adaptable to presently existing TEM machinerydesigns without modification of that machinery and which makes possibleTEM exposure and immediate processing of instant film exemplified bydiffusion transfer film emulsions and related processing chemistry.

TEM machines are capable of providing an image of a specimen with amagnification factor of up to one million times and are used extensivelyin such fields as pathology, biology, chemistry, metallurgy and otherindustrial applications for visible observation of such magnifiedimages. Although the magnified electron image may be observed directlywhen focused on a fluorescent screen or by using other forms ofelectronic imaging devices, the resolution of detail in such directlyobservable images is much lower than the resolving capacity ofphotographic emulsions. For this reason, as well as for providingpermanent records of TEM magnified images of specimens, TEM machines areconventionally equipped with photographic film exposing systems toenable visual observation of high resolution detail in the magnifiedspecimen image. Moreover, final analyses of a given specimen is usuallydelayed until one or more photographs of the TEM image are available forobservation.

TEM machines are extremely expensive, currently priced in the hundredsof thousands of U.S. dollars, and as such, each machine represents amajor investment to a research laboratory. In addition to costly, highpower electron beam generating and focusing components, the space orchamber in which the electrons are transmitted must be evacuated to 10⁻⁷atmospheric pressure or more in order to avoid electron scattering bycollision with molecules of air or with molecules of other substances ina gaseous phase. In this latter respect, it is to be noted that allnormally liquid and many normally solid substances will vaporize underthe magnitude of vacuums developed in the electron chamber of TEMmachines. Because the film and film handling accessories of a TEMphotographic system are presented in the evacuated electron beam chamberand, moreover, are passed into and out of that chamber, each TEM machineinvolves costly vacuum sealing mechanisms predicated in substantial parton the physical format of film unit assemblies employed and on theconfiguration of film containers or boxes to be used in a TEM machine ofa given design. Hence, modification of photographic components inpresently existing TEM equipment is impractical and, moreover, designchanges in photographic apparatus supplied by manufacturers of TEMmachines are restricted to accommodation of respective TEM machinedesigns.

To provide a general understanding of existing TEM machine design andthe procedures required in the handling of photographic film to be usedin such machines, reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanyingdrawings. In FIG. 1, the various photographic equipment and handlingprocedures in a conventional research laboratory are schematicallyrepresented. In FIG. 2, the transfer of individual film units within theTEM machine is diagrammatically depicted.

In FIG. 1, a TEM machine 10 is shown to include a cabinet-like base 12on which is mounted an electron beam focusing column 14 having aspecimen receptor 16 and carrying an electron beam generating head 18 atits upper end. An observation port 20 is customarily provided forviewing a fluorescent plate (not shown) at the base of the column. Thecabinet 12 includes a pair of drawers 22 and 24 for receivingrespectively a film supply box 26 and a film receiver box 28. In FIG. 2,the film boxes 22 and 24 are shown as they might be oriented within theTEM machine 10 which includes mechanisms (not shown) for transferringindividual film units 30 from the supply box 26 to an exposure stationaligned with the focusing column 14 and then to the receiver box 28. Theevacuated chamber of the TEM machine 10 is generally depicted in phantomlines in FIG. 2 and as such encloses both boxes 26 and 28 within themachine 10.

The film handling procedure now used in TEM laboratories isdiagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Individual filmsheets 32 are removed from a shipping carton 34, manually inserted intoa machine compatible carrier plate 36 to provide a film unit 30. Thefilm units 30 are then loaded into a supply box 26 to complete a filmpreparation procedure carried out in total darkness within a darkroom38. In larger TEM laboratories, as many as 8 or more TEM machines 10 maybe serviced by a single darkroom. Also, it is not uncommon for alaboratory to employ the TEM machines of two or more differentmanufacturers, each of which requires a unique carrier plate 36, supplybox 26 and receiver box 28. Both boxes 26 and 28 employ a light-tightcover or "dark slide", the dark slide 40 of the supply box 26 beingclosed in the darkroom 38 after it is filled with film units 30.

Prior to use in a TEM machine 10, the loaded supply boxes 26 must beout-gassed in a vacuum chamber 42 for at least 12 hours to assureremoval of volatile substances which may vaporize in the vacuum chamberof the TEM machine. As explained above with reference to FIG. 2, in theTEM machine 10, a specimen is inserted into the column 14 andphotographed by passing the individual film units 30 from the supply box26 to an exposure station and then to the receiver box 28. It isdesirable with some types of specimens to expose only a few film units30 and then remove the receiver box 28 (with only the few exposed filmunits) and return it to the darkroom for development so that thedeveloped images may be observed prior to making further exposures ofelectron images of the same specimen. In fields such as pathology orwhere other biological specimens are under observation, the timerequired for conventional film handling development is often longer thanthe viable life of the specimen. Hence, it is customary to awaitdevelopment of film until the receiver box 28 is filled.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that in the present use ofTEM machinery, the attainment of a high resolution photograph of aspecimen is a very tedious and time consuming procedure by which thebenefits of specimen analysis are significantly delayed. This isparticularly true in the field of pathological analysis of tissueremoved by surgery or in similar fields where it would be desirable tohave the benefit of a TEM photograph available within a short period oftime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a photographic system is madeavailable for existing TEM machinery by which diffusion transfer orother instant film emulsions may be exposed to the magnified TEM imageand processed immediately thereafter in daylight. The system employs acombination of film sheet carrier plates and film unit handlingapparatus which is adaptable to all known TEM machinery and by whichexposed film sheets may be processed automatically in a single filmprocessor.

The film sheet carrier plates of the invention are of an exteriorconfiguration duplicating existing carrier plates of diverse TEM designsto enable unimpaired use thereof in existing machines. The film sheetretaining structure of the carrier plates, however, is standardized toenable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from therespective carrier plates in the processor.

The diverse designs of receiver boxes used with existing TEM machinesare retained by the provision of a transfer box equipped with an adaptorbase shaped to cooperate with the receiver box of a given existingdesign and to cooperate with a film unit feed mechanism in theprocessor. While the use of a transfer box minimizes handling of the TEMreceiver box and is thus preferred, it is contemplated that the receiverboxes of the several existing designs may be provided with an adaptortop to enable direct placement of the receiver box into the filmprocessor.

The film processor is a compact self-contained unit having an exteriorconsole or cabinet-like enclosure and is capable of placement next to aTEM machine or centrally in relation to several such machines. Theprocessor is designed to receive and cooperate with the transfer box ina manner to enable complete film processing. Once in the processor, theopened base of the transfer box is positioned in operative relation to areciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit isejected from the box, the film sheet separated from the carrier plate,assembled with processing materials and advanced to the nip of aprocessing roller pair. Retraction of the slide feed mechanism depositsthe empty carrier plate in a receptacle for removal and subsequentreuse. Processing supplies in the processor are preferably in web formto facilitate continuous feed from supply spools to a take-up spool.Each individual film sheet is separated from the processing webs to beavailable at an access door in the processor cabinet.

Among the objects of the present invention are, therefore, the provisionof a photographic system enabling the use of instant film in existingTEM machinery; the provision of such a system which requires nomodification to the existing TEM machinery; the provision of such asystem which is adaptable to diverse types of TEM machinery withoutmodification thereof; and the provision of such a system which reducessignificantly the time and handling requirements of existing TEMphotographic systems. Other objects and further scope of applicabilityof the present invention will become apparent from the detaileddescription to follow taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2, as above-mentioned, are largely schematic perspectiveviews illustrating TEM film handling systems of the prior art;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the processor andtransfer box of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views illustrating alternate forms offilm units usable with different designs of existing TEM machinery;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a transfer box in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through the transfer box of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred film unit linerassembly for the transfer box of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section illustrating the interior of theprocessor shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section generally on line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the bottom frontof a feed slide in the processor of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the operation ofthe feed mechanism shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating processing components of theinvention;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-section on line 13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the top surface of an adapterprovided for existing TEM receiver boxes in an alternate form of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom surface of theadapter illustrated in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings, the exterior conformation of componentsemployed in an embodiment of the present invention are illustratedgenerally and include a processor 50 (FIG. 3), a transfer box 52 (FIGS.3 and 5) and film units 54A and 54B (FIGS. 4A and 4B). In theillustration of FIG. 3, the processor 50 is shown as having an exteriorconsole 56 defining a light-tight enclosure 56 having top, front and endwalls 58, 60 and 62, respectively. The top wall 58 includes a well 64for receiving the transfer box 52 or its equivalent, whereas the frontwall 60 is provided with a door 66 through which processing supplies tobe described may be inserted and the spent processing supplies removed Acontrol panel 68 is provided between the top and front walls 58 and 60and a bin-type discharge door 70 is located in the end wall 62. Whileinternal operating components of the processor 50 will be described inmore detail in the description to follow, it will be appreciated fromthe illustration in FIG. 3 that the processor represents a componentcapable of being positioned for easy access in the vicinity of a TEMmachine.

The film units 54A and 54B, illustrated respectively in FIGS. 4A and 4Bof the drawings, are intended to represent two of several film unitconfigurations required for effective use in existing TEM machinessupplied by different manufacturers. While all such units are similar tothe point of including a plate-like carrier 72 on which a film sheet 74may be mounted and retained during use of the film unit in a TEMmachine, the exterior dimensions and physical configuration beyond thatneeded to retain the film sheet 74 in place is dictated by existingequipment. In particular, the thickness and peripheral dimensions of thecarriers 72, though different in the units 54A and 54B, are determinedprincipally by the exposing station and transfer mechanism of TEMmachines of specific manufacturing design and the dimensions of thesupply and receiver boxes used therewith. Thus, the carrier 72A of theunit 54A is smaller peripherally than the carrier 72B of the unit 54Band each carrier may have different surface formations required toaccommodate the transfer mechanism, for example, in the TEM machine of aparticular manufacturer. In accordance with the present invention, bothcarrier plates 72A and 72B are identical in their definition of a filmsheet retention slip. In particular, the retention slip of each carrierplate includes a depressed planar floor 76 having undercut lips 78 atopposite ends and terminating in a film stop member such as rear wall80. A central boss-like formation 81 near the front edge of the floor 76serves to retain the film sheet 74 against fore and aft movement once itis inserted onto the floor 76 and under the lips 78. Also, both carriersinclude a rectangular aperture 82 positioned centrally of the floor 76for reasons which will become apparent from the detailed description tofollow.

The film sheets 74 carry an electron beam responsive emulsion on theirtop surface as well as chemistry incident to diffusion transferprocessing of an image to which the top of the film sheet has beenexposed. As is well known in the diffusion transfer photographic art,the sheets may be designed to present a positive reflective image uponprocessing or may be designed to present a negative transparency of theimage to which the sheet is exposed. Because research laboratoriesemploying TEM machines favor negative transparencies, the film sheets 74are preferably of that type.

The construction of the transfer box 52 is shown most clearly in FIGS.5-7 of the drawings to include an opaque plate-like cover 84 to which anexterior, light-tight box 86 is secured. The cover 84 is preferablyformed by injection molding of plastic material and the box 86 by blowmolding the same or a similar plastic to enable securement of these twoparts by rivet-like stakes 88 in the cover projecting through aperturesin an outwardly extending flange 90 at one end of the box 86. Aninjection molded adaptor 92 is affixed or secured, as by screws 94 (FIG.6) to the end of the box 86 opposite from the cover 84. As best shown inFIG. 6, the screws 94 extend from within countersink bores 96 in theadaptor 92, through an inwardly directed flange 98 in the exterior box86 and through an underlying outwardly directed flange 100 of aninterior box liner 102. The screws 94 thus secure the assembly of theadaptor 92 to the exterior box 86 and as well, secure the upper end ofthe liner 102 in place relative to the end of the exterior box 86opposite from the cover plate 84. The end of the liner 102 adjacent tothe cover plate 84 is secured in place by rail-defined grooves 104 onthe inside of the cover plate 84, alternate grooves 104 being providedfor reasons which will be apparent from the construction of the linerbox 102 as shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, the liner box 102 is formedfrom two sheet metal parts 106 and 108, each forming a side and end wallof the rectangular liner box configuration. The end wall portion of eachof the sheet metal components 106 and 108 ends in a pair of tab members109 which are configured for extending through one pair of a dual pairof apertures 110 and 111. In this way, the same components may be usedto provide liners 102 of different longitudinal dimensions toaccommodate the peripheral dimensions of various forms of the carrierplates 72A and 72B as described above with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B ofthe drawings. Also in this connection, the provision of alternategrooves 104 in the interior of the cover plate 84 enables a common coverplate to be used for different sizes of liners 102.

Additionally included in the transfer box 52 is a dark slide 112 havinga planar sheet-like light shielding portion 114 of a size to completelyclose the opening defined by the inwardly directed flange 98 on theexterior box 86 and a right angle handle flange 116 (see FIG. 5) tofacilitate sliding the dark slide 112 from a closed position, as shownin FIG. 5, to an open position in which the body portion 114 thereof iswithdrawn clear of the opening defined by the inwardly directed flange98 in the exterior box component 86. The transfer box 52 furtherincludes a follower plate 118 (FIG. 6) biased by a relatively weakcompression spring 120 extending between the follower plate 118 and amounting plate 122 staked centrally to the interior of the cover plate84. The spring 120 is similar to the spring found in the receiver boxes28 of existing machines.

The configuration of the adaptor 92, together with the dimensions of theliner 102, will relate a specific transfer box 52 to the TEM machine ofa particular manufacturer both from the standpoint of accommodatingdimensional peculiarities of film units used in that TEM machine andfrom the standpoint of cooperating with the receiver box 28 used in thesame machine. On the other hand, all such adaptors 92 are designed tocooperate with the processor 50 in a manner to be described. Eachadaptor 92, therefore, is in the nature of a frame-like member having agenerally central rectangular opening 124 which, as may be seen in FIG.6, represents a continuation of inner surfaces defined by the liner 102.As such, the size of the opening 124 in different adaptors will vary toaccommodate the film units of different TEM machines. In these adaptors92, however, the opening 124 will be capable of providing a light-tightclosure by means of the dark slide 112.

Although the details of various receiver boxes 28 used in existing TEMmachines of diverse manufacturers are not shown in the drawings, theexisting receiver boxes 28 conventionally employ specific arrangementsby which they are mounted in the TEM machine for which they weredesigned. The adaptor 92 intended for use with the receiver boxes 28 ofa specific TEM machine is provided with specific formations, such as therecesses 126 and/or clips or hooks 128 (FIG. 5), the latter explained indetail with regard to hooks 242 in FIG. 14, to enable a light-tightconnection to the receiver box 28. All adaptors 92 are also formed withbearing surfaces 130 on opposite sides of recessed surfaces 132 and 134for cooperation with the processor 50.

In the transfer of film units from a receiver box 28 of an existing TEMmachine to a transfer box 52 equipped with an adaptor 92 designed tocooperate with that receiver box 28, the receiver box 28 is inverted andplaced against the adaptor 92 while the transfer box is in the positionillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings for example. The dark slide112 of the transfer box and also the dark slide of the receiver box areopened so that the film units drop directly through the opening 124 inthe adaptor 92 and into the liner 102 of the transfer box 52.Thereafter, the dark slide 112 is closed and the transfer box isdisengaged from the receiver box with the film units contained in thetransfer box and protected from light.

After loading the transfer box 52 with one or more exposed film units54, the transfer box 52 is inverted and inserted into the well 64 of theprocessor 50 as depicted in FIG. 3. To insure proper orientation, akeying lug 131 is carried by the adaptor 92 (see FIG. 5) and configuredfor cooperation with a key slot (not shown) in the processor 50. Whenthe transfer box 52 is so inserted, the film units 54 in the box areoriented with the film sheet 74 facing up and with the rear wall 80 ofeach carrier plate 72 disposed toward the rear of the well adjoining theejector slide 154. In the processor 50, as later explained in detailwith regard to FIGS. 8-13, the film sheet 74 of each film unit 54 isseparated from the carrier plate 72 on which it was mounted originally,processed, and the processed film sheet delivered to the bin 70 foraccess. This series of operations is effected by working componentswithin the processor 50 and which may be understood by reference toFIGS. 8-13 of the drawings.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the general organization of internal processorcomponents is shown to include, in the illustrated embodiment, a filmsheet feed mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral 136,a processing assembly mechanism 138, a processing roller pair 140, acomposite blanking mechanism 142, a spent processing material storagereel 144 and a spent carrier plate bin 146. The movable ones of suchcomponents are operated under power supplied by a motor 148 (FIG. 9) andsynchronized in a manner to carry out the successive film processingprocedures in a manner to be described.

The film sheet feed mechanism 136 is positioned generally at the base ofthe transfer box well 64 and thus under the adaptor 92 of a transfer box52 loaded into the processor 50. When positioned in the well 64, thebearing surfaces 130 on opposite sides of the adaptor 92 engage the topof a pair of rails 150 and 152 which additionally function as guidewaysfor a reciprocable ejector slide 154. When the transfer box 52 isinitially loaded into the well 64, the ejector slide 154 is positionedto underlie the trailing recessed surface 134 in the adaptor 92 of thetransfer box. A tang 156 or its equivalent on the ejector slide 154 willthus be positioned to engage the handle flange 116 of the dark slide 112in the transfer box 52. Rearward movement of the ejector slide to theposition illustrated in FIG. 8, for example, will effect movement of thedark slide 112 to its opened position as shown. Also, the lowermost ofthe film units 54 will drop down against the top of the rails 150 and152 to position that unit at the plane of the recessed flat 134 of theadaptor 92.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings, the ejectorslide 154 is formed with a planar top surface 158 terminating at itsfront end as a projecting abutment ledge 160. In a vertical surface 162offset rearwardly from the ledge 160, a plurality, specifically three,projecting pins 164 are mounted. The pins are oriented at the corners ofa flat isosceles triangle or so that the space between the pins 164establishes a generally arcuate path. At the bottom of the ejector slide154 adjacent the vertical surface 162, a pair of hook members 166 aresecured. As above-mentioned, the ejector slide is supported forreciprocal motion by the guiderails 150 and 152, and to this end,opposite sides of the ejector slide 154 are provided with tenons 168 orequivalent to enable such sliding support.

Positioned forwardly of the rails 150 and 152 is a film unit platform170 having a top surface 172 which lies in a horizontal plane spacedbeneath the bottom front ends of the rails 150 and 152 and whichterminates at its rear end in a chamfer 174 to establish a gap with thelower front ends of the rails 150 and 152 slightly larger than thethickness of a carrier plate 72. The top surface 172 of the platform 170is partially circumscribed by side walls 176 and short front wallportions 178 spaced from each other by a distance at least as long asthe major dimension of the film sheets 74. Projecting through the topsurface 172 of the platform 170 at the apporoximate center thereof is anose member 180 having a ramp-like formation 182 at the front edgethereof. As may be seen in FIG. 8, the top of the nose member 180extends appreciably above the plane of the platform top surface 172whereas the ramp formation 182 begins at a level below the surface 172at its forwardmost point.

In light of the described organization of the film sheet feed mechanism,forward movement of the ejector slide 154 from the position shown inFIG. 8, for example, will advance the bottom film unit 54 in thetransfer box 52 forwardly on the rails 150 and 152, under the recessedsurface 132 of the adaptor 92 and onto the platform 170. Because of thedepressed elevation of the platform 170, the forwardly moved film unit54 will drop onto the top surface 172 of the platform 170 and bepositioned generally by the side walls 176 and front wall portions 178.As a result of the central aperture 82 in each of the carrier plates 72used in the film units of the present invention, the nose member 180will project through the aperture 82 and against the bottom side of thefilm sheet 74 retained by the carrier plate 72. This action creates anarc-like configuration in the film sheet 74 so that the rear edge of thefilm sheet will project above the forwardly facing vertical wall 80 ofthe film retaining slip in the carrier plate 72 and so that the frontedge of the film sheet 74 will be elevated clear of the boss-likeformation 81 on the same carrier plate. Also, the arcuate configurationof the film sheet 74 will impart rigidity to the sheet in a fore/aftdirection. Continued forward movement of the ejector slide 154 willoperate to pass over the rear edge of the film so that the arcuateformation at the rear edge of the film unit 74 is engaged and containedby the projecting pins 164 on the ejector slide 154. As a result, thecontinued forward motion of the slide 154 will advance the film sheet 74out of the carrier plate 72 toward the processing assembly mechanism138. Upon full forward movement of the ejector slide 154, an edge of theemptied carrier plate 72 will be engaged by the hooks 166 on the ejectorslide 154 so that upon return or rearward movement of the slide 154, thespent carrier plate (shown in dotted outline in FIG. 8) will passthrough the gap between the top surface 172 of the platform 170 underthe rails 150 and 152 and into the spent carrier bin 146.

As shown in FIG. 8, processing materials contained within the processor50 in the illustrated embodiment of the invention include a transportweb 184 supplied on a reel 186, a transparent cover web 188 supplied ona reel 190 and a tray 192 containing a supply of processing fluid pods194. These processing materials are brought together into operativerelationship with the film sheet 74 at the processing assembly mechanism138 after discharge of the film sheet 74 from the film sheet feedmechanism 136 in the manner described above. The transport web 184 ispreferably a continuous web of paper or comparable sheet material coatedon one surface with a non-permanent adhesive. In the reel 186 as shownin FIG. 8, the adhesive would be coated on the inner surface ofsuccessive convolutions so as the web 184 is payed off of the reel 186and about a guide roller 196, the adhesive surface would be presentedupwardly in the flight portion or run of the web 184 downstream from theguide roller 196. The cover web 188 is preferably of mylar or othersimilar transparent sheet materials which are impervious to the alkalineprocessing fluids used in the diffusion transfer processing of instantfilms. By virtue of its transparency, it need not be separated from thefilm sheet 74 after processing has been completed. The processing fluidpods 194 are conventional and, as such, are in the nature of elongatedfluid impervious envelopes capable of being ruptured upon compression bypassage through the nip of a processing roller pair.

As may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 12 of the drawings, the transport web 184is stored in a wound manner about the idler roller 186 and upon reachinga horizontal tangent to the roller 196 passes under pressure roller 198.Roller 198 is of non-stick material, such as silicon-type plastics, topreclude pick-up of adhesive from the transport web 184. The rollers 196and 198 thus define a pressure nip to which the film sheet 74 isadvanced by the film sheet feed mechanism 136 upon separation from thecarrier plate 72 in the manner described above. Because of thenon-permanent adhesive on the web 184, the film sheet 74 will betemporarily secured in place on the top surface of the web 184 as itpasses through the nip established by the rollers 196 and 198. Theprocessing pods 194 are individually discharged from the tray 192 to aninclined chute 200 by which they are guided downwardly into positionbetween the pressure roller 198 and an idler roller 202 for engagementwith the adhesive of the transport web 184. The cover web 188 is trainedfrom the supply reel 190 about the idler roll 202 and the spacing of theroller 202 from the roller 198 allows a short run of the transport web184 to be presented upwardly for receipt of the individual processingpods 194. As shown in FIG. 12, the idler roller 202 overlies a shallowtrough 204 in a guide-plate 206 along which the sandwiched assembly of aprocessing fluid pod and the exposed but yet unprocessed film sheet 74are passed. The trough enables the processing pod 194 to be sandwichedbetween the webs 184 and 190 without rupture as it passes under theidler roller 202. Yet the relative positioning of the processing fluidpod in advance of a film sheet 74 is facilitated by synchronizeddeposition of a processing pod on the carrier web 184 in advance of afilm sheet 74.

At the end of the guideplate 206, the sandwiched assembly of thetransport web 184, the pod 194, the film sheet 74 and the cover web 190are passed between the processing roller pair 140. The processing rollerpair includes bottom and top rollers 208 and 210, respectively broughttogether under pressure to define a precise nip through which thesandwiched assembly of film and procesing components are passed. As iswell known in the art, the passage of the pod 194 through such a nipresults in a rupture of the pod and in a uniform distribution of thefluid originally contained in the pod throughout the area of theemulsion on the film unit. The nip dimensions in the disclosedembodiment are established by cylindrical enlargements 212 and 214 onthe top roller 210 to accurately establish the operative nip spacingbetween the rollers 208 and 210. To confine the processing fluid issuingfrom the pod 194 between the webs 190 and 192, guideshoes 216 and 218are located upstream from the processing roller pair 140 to preventleakage of processing fluid beyond the edges of the sheets 184 and 190.

After passage through the processing roller pair 140, the composite webis passed through the blanking mechanism 144 (see FIG. 8) in which areciprocal punch 220 is provided for cutting the film sheet 74 and thesandwiching web components from the remainder of the composite webassembly. The processed and blanked film unit severed by the punch 220is dropped into a chute 222 and then to the discharge bin 70. All spentprocessing materials other than the web portions remaining with thepunched film sheet are passed to the spent processing material storagereel 144.

While the embodiment thus shown and described exemplifies the practiceof the present invention, many variations of the disclosed embodimentare possible and contemplated. For example, the container means by whichthe exposed film units 54 are transferred to the processor 50 may be thereceiver box 28 of the existing TEM machine to which a receiver boxadapter 232 (FIGS. 14 and 15), similar to the adaptor 92, is connectedafter removal of the receiver box 28 from the TEM machine and prior todirect insertion of the thus modified receiver box into the well 64 ofthe processor.

FIG. 14 illustrates the upper side of the adapter 232 as viewed in anorientation for mounting on top of a TEM receiver box. Hence, the uppersurfaces 130 and 132 are similar to those of adapter 92 shown in FIG. 5.However, in contrast to adapter 92, whose upper surfaces are configuredto engage both the TEM receiver box and the processor 50, the upper sideof the adapter 232, shown in FIG. 14, is made to conform to theprocessor 50 while the underside, shown in FIG. 15, is designed toconform to each type of TEM receiver box. Thus, the upper surfaces 130and keying lug 131 as well as the processor slide feed surface 134 andfilm feed surface 32 are the same as that of adapter 92. The undersideof the adapter (rather than being configured for mounting on thetransfer box) are designed to mate with the reciever box. Thus, thebottom surface 236 (see FIG. 15) includes an opening 238 designed toaccommodate the upper end of one type of TEM receiver box. The opening238 terminates in a surface 240 configured to engage the top of thereceiver box to support the adapter 232 thereon. A pair of clip members242, located in indentations 244, are shown as an example of appropriateelements for engaging the clamp arrangement provided on one type ofreceiver box. Hence, like the adapters 92, each type of adapter 232 isprovided with specific formations to enable light-tight fastening of theadapter to the receiver box.

Similar to the adapter 92, the receiver box adapter 232 carries a darkslide 114'. The latter, however, terminates in an edge arrangement 246having means, such as the bent tang arrngement 248, for engaging theupright lip of the receiver box dark slide (FIG. 1) so that thewithdrawal of the adapter slide 114' (by the film processor) will alsocause withdrawal of the receiver box slide. The tang arrangement 248 is,of course, provided for only one type of TEM receiver box, and hencewould be varied to suit the particular box design. Alternatively, sincethe box includes a dark slide, the receiver box adapter need onlyprovide a non-light blocking slide which engages the box slide and theprocessor. For enabling the engagement with the processor, the edgearrangement 246 carries a pair of spaced apertures 250 which areconfigured to seat on appropriate lugs (not shown) of the ejector slide154 (FIGS. 10 and 11).

In use, the receiver box adapter 232 is placed upon and latched to areceiver box containing exposed film units. The assembly is theninverted and placed in the receiving well 64 of a processor 50 (FIG. 3)which is modified as noted below to accommodate a receiver box andadapter assembly rather than the transfer box arrangement previouslydescribed.

Following insertion in the well 64, the ejection slide 154 (modified toengage the slide edge arrangement 246) draws the receiver slide, oralternatively, the latter and the adapter slide 114', thereby allowingthe stack of exposed film units 54 to drop into the adapter with thelowermost of the film units resting upon the rails 150 and 152 of thefilm processor.

This use of the receiver box places the film units in an upside-downorientation relative to the manner in which the film units are presentedto the processor 50 by the transfer box 52. Hence, feed mechanism 136would be modified to flip the film unit 54 over prior to its engagementwith the surface 172 of the platform 170, and the resulting removal ofthe film sheet 74 from the carrier plate 72.

Thus, it will be appreciated that as a result of the present invention,a highly effective photographic apparatus for use in existing TEMmachinery is provided and by which the stated objectives, among others,are completely fulfilled. It is equally apparent that modifications maybe made in the embodiment illustrated and described herein withoutdeparture from the invention. It is expressly intended, therefore, thatthe foregoing description and accompanying drawings are illustrative ofa preferred embodiment only, not limiting, and that the true spirit andscope of the present invention be determined by reference to theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Photographic apparatus for use with transmissionelectron microscopes of diverse styles and in which an assembly of afilm sheet and a carrier plate is transported within an evacuatedchamber from a supply box, through an exposure station, to a receiverbox, the carrier plates and receiver boxes of the respective microscopestyles being uniquely configured and dimensioned for each respectivemicroscope style, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of film sheetcarrier plates including one such carrier plate for each style ofmicroscope with which the photographic apparatus is to be used, eachsaid one such carrier plate having exterior dimensions andconfigurations required by a specific style of microscope, all of saidplurality of carrier plates having a film sheet retention slip of thesame configuration; processor means for receiving all of said pluralityof film sheet carrier plates and for converting latent microscope imagesto which individual film sheets have been exposed to observable images;and a plurality of adapter means for transfering all such film sheetcarriers from the receiver boxes of diversely styled microscopes to saidprocessor means, said adapter means including one such adapter means foreach style of microscope with which the photographic apparatus is to beused, each said one of said adapter means including an adapter bodyhaving a first surface for mounting on and releasable light tightcoupling to a receiver box of one of said microscope styles and anopposite surface for mounting on and releasable light tight coupling tosaid processor means, and each said adapter body including an openingtherein for passage of said carrier plates from said receiver box tosaid processor means when intercoupled by said adapter body.
 2. Thephotographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adapter means includesmeans for regulating the transfer of one film sheet carrier at a time tosaid processor means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiverbox of each style of microscope includes a box dark slide arrangementmounted for movement between a light blocking position extending acrosseach said receiver box and a withdrawn position, each said box darkslide terminating in an edge arrangement configured for facilitatingmovement of each said box dark slide between its said light blocking andwithdrawn positions, and each said adapter body includes an adapter darkslide mounted for movement between a first and a second position, andeach said adapter dark slide terminating in an edge arrangement forengaging said edge arrangement of said box dark slide for automaticallymoving said box dark slide to its withdrawn position as said adapterdark slide is moved to its second position so as to permit reception ofsaid carrier plates in said processor means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said adapter dark slide is a dark slide configured for blockinglight from entering said opening of said adapter body when said adapterdark slide is in its said first position and for unblocking said openingof said adapter body to permit passage of said carrier platestherethrough when said adapter dark slide is in its said secondposition.
 5. Photographic apparatus for use with transmission electronmicroscopes of diverse styles and in which an assembly of a film sheetand a carrier plate is transported within an evacuated chamber from asupply box, through an exposure station, to a receiver box, the carrierplates and receiver boxes of the respective microscope styles beinguniquely configured and dimensioned for each respective microscopestyle, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of film sheet carrierplates including one such carrier plate for each style of microscopewith which the photographic apparatus is to be used, each said one suchcarrier plate having exterior dimensions and configurations required bya specific style of microscope, all of said plurality of carrier plateshaving a film sheet retention slip of the same configuration; processormeans for receiving all of said plurality of film sheet carrier platesand for converting latent microscope images to which individual filmsheets have been exposed to observable images; and a plurality oftransfer boxes providing means for transfering all such film sheetcarriers from the receiver boxes of diversely styled microscopes to saidprocessor means, said transfer boxes including one such transfer box foreach style of microscope with which the photographic apparatus is to beused, each said one transfer box including means for receiving thecarrier plates configured for a specific style of microscope and fortransferring them to said processor means, and each said one of saidtransfer boxes including an open end for mounting on and releasablelight tight coupling to a receiver box of said specific style ofmicroscope for receiving said carrier plates and also for mounting onand releasable light tight coupling to said processor means.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said receiver boxes include one suchreceiver box for each specific style of microscope with each including areceiver box dark slide arrangement mounted for movement between a lightblocking position extending across an open end of its receiver box and awithdrawn position, each said receiver box dark slide terminating in anedge arrangement conforming to said specific style of microscope andconfigured for facilitating movement of said receiver box dark slidebetween its said light blocking and withdrawn positions, each said onetransfer box including a transfer box dark slide mounted for movementbetween a light blocking position extending across said open end of itstransfer box and a withdrawn position, each said transfer box dark slideof a said one transfer box terminating in an edge arrangement forfacilitating movement of said adapter box dark slide between its saidlight blocking and withdrawn positions and for engaging said edgearrangement of said receiver box dark slide of said one receiver box forautomatically moving said receiver box dark slide to its withdrawnposition as said transfer box dark slide is moved to its withdrawnposition so as to permit transfer of carrier plates from a receiver boxto an attached transfer box.